Canons
Anglican Free Fellowship of America Canons:
Section I: Leadership and Governance
1. The leadership of the church shall consist of the Archbishop Primus, the Council of Bishops
and the Council of Clergy and Laity.
2. The AFF, as member of the Anglican Free Communion International, is also subject to their
canons.
Archbishop Primus
3. The leader of the church, who carries the title Archbishop Primus, serves for a term of 10
years. He or she can be re-elected one time. He or she must be at least 40 years of age with valid
apostolic succession with no criminal background.
4. The Archbishop Primus acts as the chief administrator and spiritual leader who articulates the
vision, mission, and purpose of the church.
5. The Archbishop Primus selects the diocesan bishops and may remove them by his or her authority
should the bishop not be performing their duties, act in a manner that is in violation of the
canons of the church or their ordination vows.
6. The Archbishop Primus is elected by a three-fifths majority vote of the Council of Clergy and
Laity and a three-fifths majority vote of the Council of Bishops. This occurs when the existing
Archbishop Primus retires, completes his term, or passes away. All members of the clergy can
nominate candidates. If the Council of Bishops or the Council of Clergy and Laity are not able to
reach a three-fifths majority after a third vote, then a simple majority will suffice on all votes
going forward in both the Council of Bishops and the Council of Clergy and Laity.
7. Should the Archbishop Primus become incapacitated, fail to perform his/her duties, commit
criminal behavior, or loses the confidence of the clergy, then he/she may be removed from office by
a vote of all clergy. This process requires an investigation by the council of bishops with a
majority of bishops requesting to hold a vote of "no- confidence" along with a statement of their
findings. If a vote of "no-confidence" is called, it will be sent to all clergy who will have two
weeks to either vote yes, no, or abstain. If 60% vote to remove the Archbishop Primus, it will take
effect immediately. Nominations will be accepted, and a two-week election cycle begins.
8. The Archbishop Primus may appoint titular bishops to serve a special function within the
church.
Council of Bishops
9. The Council of Bishops is comprised of diocesan bishops, titular bishops, and the Archbishop
Primus. Each Bishop has one vote in the Council of Bishops.
10. The role of the council of bishops is to be advisers to the Archbishop Primus and to help carry
out the vision, mission, and purpose of the church. They also function as an ecclesiastical court
with respect to the removal of clergy from the AFF.
11. Diocesan bishops and the Archbishop Primus have a mandatory retirement age of seventy-five;
however, titular bishops may continue to serve if they are sound in mind and body.
12. The Archbishop Primus and the Diocesan Bishops may create positions as needed to conduct its
functions.
13. The role of the bishop is to provide moral and spiritual support to the clergy and to develop
them in their ministry as well as being peacemakers and obstacle removers.
They also ordain clergy, visit churches upon request, and celebrate confirmations.
14. The Council of Bishops shall meet a minimum of 2 times a year and shall keep a record of the
minutes of their meeting.
15. The Bylaws, canons, and statements on beliefs may be modified by a 3/4 vote of the council of
bishops: however, Christ's Creed as our founding statement will be a permanent fixture.
Council of Clergy and Laity
16. The Council of Clergy and Laity consists of seven persons (3 clergy either deacons or priests
in good standing) and four laity and shall be presided over by a Chairman of the Council of Clergy
and Laity, elected by a majority vote for a term of two years. Laity must be a member in good
standing of a ministry approved by the bishop and led by an AFF clergy member. Clergy will nominate
laity. Members for the council will be randomly selected by a drawing.
17. The Council of the Clergy and Laity’s role is to provide parish level feedback and make
recommendations to the Council of Bishops. Any recommendations will go the Council of Bishops for a
vote. They also vote on the election of a new Archbishop primus.
18. The Council of Clergy and Laity shall meet a minimum of 2 times a year and shall keep a record
of the minutes of their meeting.
Synods
19. Synods are open for all members of the clergy to attend.
20. Meeting will be held as needed. Diocese are welcome to hold their own separate events.
21. The purpose of the synod is for education, fellowship, ordination and consecration services and
church planning.
Clericus
22. Quarterly meetings of all clergy will take place to discuss topics of importance, receive
feedback and suggestions and to keep everyone informed. It is highly recommended that all clergy
attend online.
23. Clergy are expected to maintain regular contact with their bishop.
Section II: Ordination
1. Ordination to the diaconate and priesthood are at each diocesan bishops’ discretion. Our main
concern is that their calling is true, they have no criminal background and receive the proper
training to perform their duties. All exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the
Archbishop Primus.
2. Candidates must be age 22 or older for deacon. This person must demonstrate maturity and
responsibility to serve in this capacity.
3. Candidates must be age 25 or older for the priesthood. This person must demonstrate maturity
and responsibility to serve in this capacity.
4. Candidates will go through a process consisting of no less than three interviews, a background
investigation and psychological evaluation at their expense, a written application and provide
supporting documents of their education.
5. Clergy are expected to go through a period of formation and mentorship along with appropriate
education to be ordained. A person may be ordained a transitional deacon while preparing to become
a priest.
Section III: Episcopal Consecrations
1. No consecrations may be performed without the Archbishop Primus' approval. Bishops must be at
least 40 years of age with ministerial experience. Any exceptions to the requirements require
approved by the Archbishop Primus.
2. A minimum of two and preferably three or more bishops must be present for a consecration.
Section IV: Incardination
1. Incardination of deacons and priests are at the discretion of the diocesan bishop. They must
have valid apostolic succession and no criminal history.
2. The incardination of a bishop requires prior approval of the Archbishop Primus.
3. Candidates will go through a process consisting of no less than three interviews, a background
investigation and psychological evaluation at their expense, a written application and provide
supporting documents of their education and ordinations. Exceptions may be made in emergency
circumstances with approval of Archbishop Primus.
Section V: Episcopal Vacancies
1. The first act of the council of bishops upon the Archbishop Primus' retirement, end of term,
or death will be to appoint a new Archbishop Primus within fourteen days.
2. If a diocesan bishop position is vacant then the Archbishop Primus will appoint a new bishop
or may make an interim appointment until a permanent appointment is made.
Section VI: Removal of Clergy
1. Any clergy members (deacons, priests, or bishops) causing division within the church or who are
in violations of the canons may be removed from the church by their diocesan bishop or the
Archbishop Primus. The clergy member can request a review of the facts for a final decision to be
made by the council of bishops.
2. Clergy will be suspended if criminally charged or if legitimate accusations of criminal activity
are made. This will either be lifted by the council of bishops if they are found to be innocent in
a court of law or they will be expelled permanently if convicted. If it is found that the
accusations are credible (even if the clergyperson is not prosecuted legally) they may be removed
by their bishop or Archbishop Primus to protect others and the church.
Section VII: Ministerial Freedom:
1. While there is an episcopal structure, it is not the church leadership’s desire to dictate how
clergy practice their ministries. Churches within the AFF can choose to have low, broad, or high
church services. We do expect that public services will include communion and readings from a book
of common prayer. Any book of common prayer is acceptable.
2. We respect differences in theological beliefs among the clergy. We believe a “Via Media”
approach allows us to disagree on non-essential matters without breaking our collective bonds of
affection. While we would never expect any clergy member to do anything that violates their
conscience, we do expect all our clergy to honor and respect each other regardless of their
differences.
3. Each ministry under the umbrella of the AFF will determine whether it wishes to officially
incorporate under 501 c3 status or service as an unincorporated religious association under 508
c1A. All ministries must operate in compliance with the laws of the state in which they reside.
4. Any churches that associate with us maintain their property and freedom to leave.
5. We do not require churches to provide funding to the national church and we do not guarantee to
provide any financial support to them.
6. We give free reign to practice ministry as one pleases so long as no harm is done to the
parishioners or the church by engaging in illegal, immoral, or unethical behavior. All illegal
activities will be immediately reported to the police.
7. Our expectation is that all clergy will work together in a collegiate and civil manner.
8. The structure of the church is meant to maximize individual ministerial freedom with bishops
acting as servant leaders rather than as traditional “overseers.” Priests and deacons are expected
to follow the direction of their bishops so long as they are not being asked to do anything
immoral, unethical, illegal, or that may violate their conscience.
A History of Amendments to the Canons:
The following changes have occurred:
▪ The position of Archbishop Coadjutor was added in 2016 as part of our entrance into the
communion but was eliminated in 2019 when Archbishop Vaughan replaced Archbishop Seijo.
▪ A maximum age limit of 75 was added for diocesan bishops and the archbishop primus in
2019.
▪ A term of 10 years was added with the option to be elected to a second 10-year term for the
archbishop primus in 2019. Previously Archbishop Seijo in 2013 and Archbishop Vaughan in 2016 were
elected to life terms as founders.
▪ Archbishop Vaughan voluntarily limited his current life term to a maximum of 20 years in
2021.
▪ A Council of Clergy and Laity was added in 2021 so that when several churches
made up the fellowship that they would have input.